Why I Joined HiNAIA
By: Kimberly Barnes, Director of Special Education Learning Experience
Over the past 14 years, I’ve served as both a special education teacher and a secondary math teacher, working across a wide spectrum of learning environments. These have included self-contained classrooms, inclusive general education settings, and dual enrollment courses at the college level.
In addition to classroom teaching, I’ve developed and implemented IEPs that align with each student’s individual learning goals, and collaborated extensively with families, service providers, and colleagues to ensure all students receive the support they need to succeed.
As part of my district’s Canvas Pilot program, I was among the first cohort of educators to fully integrate a learning management system into instruction. This experience strengthened my expertise in digital accessibility, adaptive technology, and online instructional design, skills that continue to inform my work today.
Why HiNAIA?
HiNAIA’s mission aligns with the core of my professional practice: expanding access to personalized instruction for students who have historically been underserved, overlooked, or underestimated.
I joined HiNAIA to help design a learning platform that:
Reflects the diversity of real classrooms
Reduces barriers for students with learning differences
Provides practical, accessible tools for educators and caregivers
Promotes inclusive, high expectation learning environments
As Director of Special Education Learning Experience, I bring both classroom expertise and a deep understanding of compliance, pedagogy, and assistive technology. My focus is on building systems that not only meet regulatory standards, but actually work for the people who rely on them every day.
Looking Ahead
At HiNAIA, I am contributing to the development of a platform that combines Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles with AI. This includes working with our teams to design instructional pathways, IEP-aligned and evidence-based learning tools, and educator-facing tools that are grounded in best practices. Together with our team, I’m excited to support a future where every learner is empowered, and every teacher is equipped.
Credentials
Master’s in Special Education
Graduate Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Bachelor’s in Secondary Mathematics Education
National Board-Certified Teacher
Certified to teach Mathematics, Special Education, and English as a Second Language